Turmeric Rice

Turmeric rice is a flavorful and delicious twist on classic rice that is super aromatic and very easy to prepare. This side dish tastes great in combination with various main dishes and is the perfect way to switch up your rice game!

If you love to serve rice with your main dishes, you should definitely try this turmeric rice recipe! I really love plain rice, but sometimes it can get a bit boring. That’s when I go back to this turmeric rice recipe. It uses very basic ingredients and is super simple but the final result is an aromatic rice variation that everyone will love.

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this super delish turmeric rice:

• Basmati rice. I recommend using basmati rice, but you could definitely use other types of rice. Jasmine rice works great, too.
• Onion and garlic. These two ingredients add tons of flavor, without being overpowering. Definitely don’t skip adding them!
• Ground turmeric. I recommend using ground turmeric as it is much more hassle-free to use. Fresh turmeric usually stains things and can be hard to find. And since both versions taste equally great, there is no need to buy and chop fresh turmeric.
• Olive oil and butter. I usually use olive oil or avocado oil to cook, but for this dish, I recommend using olive oil and butter. It makes the turmeric rice extra delicious, but still keeps things light and healthy.
• Chicken or vegetable broth. I recommend using chicken broth to make this dish. But if you are vegetarian or vegan, you can definitely go with the vegetable broth!
• Bay leaf. The bay leaf adds lots of flavor to the turmeric rice, so don’t skip!

How to make turmeric rice

Turmeric rice is super easy to make. Simply follow these instructions:

1. Sauté the onion and garlic. Preheat the olive oil and butter in a pot over medium heat. Then sauté the onion and garlic until the onion turns translucent.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer. Add the remaining ingredients and stir everything. Bring the broth to a boil, then cover the pot, reduce the heat and let everything simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Let it sit, fluff, and serve. Let the rice sit for 5 minutes in the closed pot, then take out the bay leaf and fluff the rice with a fork. Enjoy!

Cooking tips

Preparing rice can sometimes be more tricky than one might think, so here are a few tips for you:

• Rinse the rice: I know, rinsing the rice is an extra step. And I absolutely don’t want to make things complicated for you. But please rinse the rice before you cook it. It removes any excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming gummy and gooey. It’s just a little extra step that goes a long way!
• Cooking time and water ratio: If you don’t use basmati rice, I recommend checking the package for cooking instructions. For basmati rice, use 1.5 cups of water for 1 cup of rice and cook for around 15 minutes.
• Don’t take off the lid: I know it can be hard to resist the urge of checking on the rice. But don’t take off the lid. It lets the steam escape and we definitely don’t want that. Trust me, the patience pays off!

Variations

• Add ginger: If the main dish is rather mild in flavor, feel free to add a tablespoon of grated ginger to the rice. Simply sauté it with the onion and garlic.
• Make it vegan: If you want to make a vegan version of this turmeric rice recipe, use vegetable broth and only use olive oil. It will taste super delicious, even if you skip the butter!

Ways to serve this turmeric rice

There are many different ways to serve turmeric rice! It tastes great with lots of different main dishes. But here are my favorites for some inspiration:

• Curries: I love to combine turmeric rice with paneer tikka masala or my Indian shrimp curry recipe. Indian spiced dishes just go super well with the taste of the turmeric rice!
• Baked chicken: You could bake chicken breasts or thighs and serve them with turmeric rice. Since chicken can be quite neutral in flavor, the turmeric rice adds to the taste of this combination.
• Roasted veggies: Don’t forget about your veggies! I like to roast my favorite vegetables in the oven and serve them with some protein and turmeric rice. Very simple but super delicious and effortless!

Storage

You can store the turmeric rice in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. I recommend reheating it in a pot. And if the rice feels dry, just add a bit of water when you reheat it.

More healthy and delicious recipes

If you love simple, healthy, and delicious recipes, I recommend trying one of the following recipes.

• Veggie Tofu Stir Fry
• Coconut Chickpea Curry
• Ground Beef Stir Fry
• Batata Harra (Spicy Potatoes)
• Thai Peanut Curry with Chicken
• Ginger Turmeric Shots